End of September 2019 Report

As is now tradition, this is the post of the end of September. I’m still putting my money where my mouth is.

RECAP OF THE UPDATED 2019 GOALS

1. Write 500,000 words in personal, non-school related projects.
2. Complete and publish Felix #2, Felix #3, Des O’Neal #1, Des O’Neal #2, Des O’Neal #3, Jovian Marines #1, Jovian Marines #2, Jovian Marines #3, Mech Warrior #1, Mech Warrior #2, Mech Warrior #3.
   1. Complete and Publish VRMMORPG
3. Correct cover for Felix #1.
4. Write four blog posts per month
5. Give Felix #1 and Tokyo Tempest #1 a proofread.
6. Complete and submit to market Terran Marine Raider short #1, Terran Marine Raider short #2, and RPG Death short.
   1. Added goal: complete and submit to market, JSS Leda (New title: From Planet Everdark), secret short #2 (New Title: Rise of the Ghids) and secret short #3 (New Title: Sailing Vessel Wanderlust: the Delivery).
7. Earn $1000.00 a month from novels.
8. Relaunch publishing company with a new, stronger name.
9. Get 1 client for editing services.
10. NEW GOAL: Lose 90 lbs and get healthier.
11. NEW GOAL: Write for 365 Days in a row of at least 100 words per day.

SEPTEMBER ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1. I wrote 41,469 words.
2. I have written for 273 days in a row.
3. I spent most of this month working on my Des O’Neal #3.
4. I nearing the 400k mark in total yearly words at 387k.
5. Rise of the Ghids and From Planet Everdark, have been published and are out now.
6. Working with a local cover artist for a bunch of covers for books.
7. Working on the edit for Mechwarrior #1.
8. Wrote 4 blog posts during June.
9. Starting weight 286lbs, weight today, 274lbs. No change.

EXAMINATION OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1. I wrote just over 41k words in September. Total word-wise, it is one of the worst that I have done. If it wasn’t for a few good days, this would have been a failure of a month. Starting school back up has severely limited the time that I need to write. I’m still making the goal, however, it is difficult to do.
2. This is still the longest days in a row I have written by far as well as the longest yearly word count. I count that as a win. My goal is to write 365 days in a row.
3. Rise of the Ghids and From Planet Everdark has been published. You can find my announcements on Rise of the Ghids here and From Planet Everdark here. They can both be found on Amazon. Ghids. Everdark.
4. I have news about the short Sailing Vessel Wanderlust: the Delivery, but I still have nothing that I talk about yet. I expect that I should be able to release information on it soon. 
5. I am working on editing Mech Warrior #1. It is taking longer to get it done than I’d like. Due to plot holes, I had been forced to draw a diagram of the starship. Lesson learned. I set myself a deadline and watched it sail by due to school. I’m not happy about it, however, I am close.
6. A local cover artist, not my wife, is working on what I am calling “art assets.” These are so my wife can turn them into beautiful covers. They will be works of art on there own but will have no titling, which is why I need my wife.
7. My blog posts are still happening.
8. Mt diet had ended. Counting calories had become too difficult to do. I haven’t gone up back to my old weigh, and my habit of overeating has not come back. I’m that habit down to keep my weight in check. I’m looking for a better plan to help with my weight loss.

PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

This month was very difficult. Schoolwork with five classes is hard. I’m keeping up with assignments, my own words, however, not my editing. I need to get going on this and not let it stop me. I also know I need to figure out a better idea for covers. They are my roadblock. If I had covers sitting for my books, then I’d have a very good reason to keep going and to push myself.

Sort plan this report. Write more. Edit more. Get covers. Do assignments.

If you like what you are reading and wish to support me in my endeavors, please sign up to my newsletter, visit my Amazon Author Page and purchase one of my books. Or buy me a coffee. Your help and support are much appreciated.

End of June 2019 Report

As is now tradition, this is the post of the end of June. I am still putting my money where my mouth is.

RECAP OF THE UPDATED 2019 GOALS

1. Write 500,000 words in personal, non-school related projects.
2. Complete and publish Felix #2, Felix #3, Des O’Neal #1, Des O’Neal #2, Des O’Neal #3, Jovian Marines #1, Jovian Marines #2, Jovian Marines #3, Mech Warrior #1, Mech Warrior #2, Mech Warrior #3.
   1. Complete and Publish VRMMORPG
3. Correct cover for Felix #1.
4. Write four blog posts per month
5. Give Felix #1 and Tokyo Tempest #1 a proofread.
6. Complete and submit to market Terran Marine Raider short #1, Terran Marine Raider short #2, and RPG Death short.
   1. Added goal: complete and submit to market, JSS Leda (New title From Planet Everdark), secret short #2 and secret short #3.
7. Earn $1000.00 a month from novels.
8. Relaunch publishing company with a new, stronger name.
9. Get 1 client for editing services.
10. NEW GOAL: Lose 90 lbs and get healthier.
11. NEW GOAL: Write for 365 Days in a row of at least 100 words per day.

JUNE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1. I wrote 42,886 words.
2. I have written for 182 days in a row.
3. I spent most of this month working on my VR story.
4. I have passed the 50% mark in total yearly words at 253k.
5. Waiting to hear back if my short story with the previous title, JSS Leda (New title From Planet Everdark) is accepted or not.
6. Working with a local cover artist for a bunch of covers for books.
7. Edited Secret short #2, reading it for submission.
8. Working on the edit for Mechwarrior #1.
9. Wrote 4 blog posts during June.
10. Starting weight 286lbs, weight today, 263lbs.

EXAMINATION OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1. I wrote just over 42k words in June. Total word-wise, it is not the best that I have done, however, once you split it up into per day averages, it is the second best that I have pulled off. I managed to write a few 3k and 4k days to make up the lackluster numbers of other days.
2. This is still the longest days in a row I have written by far as well as the longest yearly word count. I count that as a win. My goal is to write 365 days in a row.
3. I have finished editing the short story. It is short story set in a post-apocalyptic world where Yellowstone Supervolcano exploded. It is about Captain Adele of the SV Wanderlust and her goal to deliver expensive cargo to its destination and to defeat other Captains who want the shipment for themselves. Once it is submitted and accepted, it will get a full blog post. For now, this will have to do.
4. I am working on editing Mech Warrior #1.
5. A local cover artist, not my wife is working on what I am calling “art assets.” These are so my wife can turn them into beautiful covers. They will be works of art on there own but will have no titling, which is why I need my wife.
6. My blog posts are still happening.
7. I have been on this new diet for a month now. My energy is high, however, I crave chips.

PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

This month was harder than most. I feel like I’m starting to burn out, yet I need to ramp up my efforts and get more stuff done. The summer session semesters at school was split into two short semesters with the first part completed. Now with only one course, it should be easier to get other things done and to look after myself, as well.

I did get a lot of other stuff done. However, nothing published. The hold up is covers and editing at the moment. I have the one book, Missed Drop Zone, ready to go. But there is no real rush. I want to do things right and not make mistakes.

I have started to edit other works, the short stories as they come up. They are a good distraction in some ways, a poor one in others. I have the feeling that I am not going to get my goal of getting all of those stories published. I’m going to run out of time and word count. But there is always next year, as long as I have manuscripts done.

I have created an editing schedule, but it is hard to keep on it. I am hoping to get at least three more novels edited by September. It is a hard target to hit, but I think that it is possible.

The VRMMORPG story is going well. I’m at 60k out of a target of 100k. So things are progressing nicely. It is not going to be a stand alone. I tried. It’ll be a trilogy; if not longer.

So the plan, work on VRMMORPG, edit other novels. Get covers. Get books published.

If you like what you are reading and wish to support me in my endeavors, please sign up to my newsletter, visit my Amazon Author Page and purchase one of my books. Or buy me a coffee. Your help and support are much appreciated.

End of May 2019 Report

As like the post for the end of January, this is the post of the end of May. I am still putting my money where my mouth is.

RECAP OF 2019 GOALS

1. Write 500,000 words in personal, non-school related projects.
2. Complete and publish Felix #2, Felix #3, Des O’Neal #1, Des O’Neal #2, Des O’Neal #3, Jovian Marines #1, Jovian Marines #2, Jovian Marines #3, Mech Warrior #1, Mech Warrior #2, Mech Warrior #3.
   1. Complete and Publish VRMMORPG
3. Correct cover for Felix #1.
4. Write four blog posts per month
5. Give Felix #1 and Tokyo Tempest #1 a proofread.
6. Complete and submit to market Terran Marine Raider short #1, Terran Marine Raider short #2, and RPG Death short.
   1. Added goal: complete and submit to market, JSS Leda, secret short #2 and secret short #3.
7. Earn $1000.00 a month from novels.
8. Relaunch publishing company with a new, stronger name.
9. Get 1 client for editing services.
10. NEW GOAL: Lose 90 lbs and get healthier.

APRIL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1. I wrote 43,055 words.
2. I have written for 151 days in a row, which is also at the approx one-third mark in the days of the year.
3. I spent most of this month working on short stories and not on longer fiction.
4. I have started the first draft for a new story.
5. I have passed the 40% mark in total yearly words at 210k.
6. Edited the short story with a working title called the JSS Leda and submitted it to market.
7. Working with a local cover artist for a bunch of covers for books.
8. Completed edited Jovian Marines #1.
9. Wrote 4 blog posts during May.
11. Starting weight 286lbs, weight today, 268lbs.

EXAMINATION OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1. I wrote just over 43k words in May. It is better than the last two months. I have managed to pull off a couple really good days that have helped bolster my poor days.
2. This is the longest days in a row I have written by far as well as the longest yearly word count. I count that as a win.
3. I have first drafted another short story. A secret project that I will keep secret for now.
4. I am working on editing my secret project.
5. A local cover artist, not my wife is working on what I am calling “art assets.” These are so my wife can turn them into beautiful covers. They will be works of art on there own but will have no titling, which is why I need my wife.
6. The edits of Jovian Marines #1 are completed. It just have to get a cover and I can publish it. As soon as I get it back from a proofreader.
7. My blog posts are still happening. Even when I forget.
8. I have been on this new diet for a month now. My energy is high, however, I crave chips.

PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

This month was hard at some points, and stressful at others and flowed when it did. A new semester at school has started so new courses to distract me. I did get a lot of other stuff done. However, nothing published.

With Missed Drop Zone finished edited this month, I need to start editing other titles. However, figuring out a good editing schedule is difficult at best. I will figure it out. Having them first drafter is a feat on its own.

The VRMMORPG story listed above is an oops. I didn’t intend to start another story, however, it is flowing. I like the characters, I like the plot. I am hoping to keep this a stand-alone. It is me though. I tend to write long stories.

So the plan, work on VRMMORPG, edit other novels. Get covers. Get books published.

If you like what you are reading and wish to support me in my endeavours, please sign up to my newsletter, visit my Amazon Author Page and purchase one of my books. Or buy me a coffee. Your help and support are much appreciated.

End of April 2019 Report

As like the post for the end of January, this is the post of the end of April. I am still putting my money where my mouth is.

RECAP OF 2019 GOALS

1. Write 500,000 words in personal, non-school related projects.
2. Complete and publish Felix #2, Felix #3, Des O’Neal #1, Des O’Neal #2, Des O’Neal #3, Jovian Marines #1, Jovian Marines #2, Jovian Marines #3, Mech Warrior #1, Mech Warrior #2, Mech Warrior #3.
3. Correct cover for Felix #1.
4. Write four blog posts per month
5. Give Felix #1 and Tokyo Tempest #1 a proofread.
6. Complete and submit to market Terran Marine Raider short #1, Terran Marine Raider short #2, and RPG Death short.
   1. Added goal: complete and submit to market, JSS Leda, secret short #2 and secret short #3.
7. Earn $1000.00 a month from novels.
8. Relaunch publishing company with a new, stronger name.
9. Get 1 client for editing services.
10. NEW GOAL: Lose 90 lbs and get healthier.

APRIL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1. I wrote 40,667 words.
2. I have written for 120 days in a row, which is also at the approx one-third mark in the days of the year.
3. The O’Neal Kidnapped has been first drafted.
4. I have passed the one-third mark in total yearly words at 167k.
5. Editing the short story with a working title called the JSS Leda.
6. Working with a local cover artist for a bunch of covers for books.
7. Edited Terran Marine Raider #1, it is ready to be submitted to a market.
8. Still worked on editing Jovian Marines #1.
9. Wrote 4 blog posts during April.
10. Relaunched with a new, stronger name. Atomic Slingshot Press
11. Starting weight 286lbs, weight today, 278lbs.

EXAMINATION OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1. I wrote just over 40k words in April. It is the lowest monthly total in both the total quantities of words as well as a daily average. With final exams and final papers in the mix, it was hard to get the amount of time to get the words done. I do have a week before the summer semester starts. It is time to do some catch-up.
2. I have first drafted the second O’Neal book, The O’Neal Kidnapped. It turned out better than I expected. It clocked in at 61k words.
3. I am working on editing my secret project.
4. A local cover artist, not my wife is working on what I am calling “art assets.” These are so my wife can turn them into beautiful covers. They will be works of art on there own but will have no titling, which is why I need my wife.
5. The edits of Jovian Marines #1 are ongoing. I have decided to give it a full draft rewrite. It is a delay that throws things off. However, it is two-thirds complete. I expect to get the draft done soon so I can get it to the proofreader.
6. My blog posts are still happening. Even if I get distracted at times. I do thank my wife for carrying the ball when I stumbled. It is very appreciated.
7. New branding for the site and company. I’m much happier with this than the name before.
8. I have been on this new diet for only a few days now. My energy is up, I feel healthier, and I have lost a few pounds. I know it is too early to call that weight a success, but it’s helpful.

PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

This month was more laborious than March by far. The schoolwork has built up and piled on. I did get a lot of other stuff done. However, nothing published.

The second O’Neal book, The O’Neal Kidnapped, has been done. I am working on a cover for it, as well as it is in the long editing pile.

I will get Missed Drop Zone finished edited this month. This time I swear it. I know that it has turned into a bit of a joke. It will get done, then published.

I have many plans for other stories. I have at least three different series and one standalone not included on my list that I want to write. I need to push past the current projects to move onto other things.

If you like what you are reading and wish to support me in my endeavours, please sign up to my newsletter, visit my Amazon Author Page and purchase one of my books. Or buy me a coffee. Your help and support are much appreciated.

Dealing with Bad Days

Bad Days

Everyone has bad days, weeks, or months. April is turning into a horrible month for me. My word count is meagre, I can’t seem to get to editing my Missed Drop Zone book, and there are too many distractions.

The worst part about it is the cyclical nature of the roadblocks and the fact that many of the barriers are in my own head. For example, a simple one like the fact that I have final exams going on and I have a growing need to study. This either causes a dark cloud of pure grumpiness, or it is a time suck. Either way, it makes me lose hours of the day as I put it off for my fiction.

This makes me grumpy, frustrated and all told, pissed off. I shouldn’t be; however, I am.  Once I am cranky, it is a dark cloud over my work. It amplifies any frustration that I may run into. Before when I would find something, like a plot hole, I just deal with it.

Plot holes are not a big deal. Most of the time, they can be solved with a sentence or three. Worse case, it is a new chapter. In short, not a big deal. When I am grumpy, however, it is a big deal. Finding a plot hole is a slowdown that I can’t deal with.

That makes me pissed off that I feel that way, which feeds the monster. Rinse and repeat.

How to Deal With Bad Days

This part I am struggling with. I’m not sure exactly with what to do about it.

Some people say to acknowledge that it is a bad day and to write it off. In short, go do something else and try again tomorrow. I disagree with that sentiment. If I were to do that I would have written for three out of fourteen days and have gotten nothing done.

When I had a job with an employer paying me, I had to perform every day. There wasn’t an excuse for having a bad day. Employers don’t have time for that shit. It is either buckle down and work for the eight hours or find a new job. Period.

Push Onward

For that reason, my theory is to push through it. Yes, I have bad days. Yes, they suck. Yes, it seems like I can’t do anything right and I am flailing. However, there is a time when you must work, there are no excuses. There is no fickle muse withholding favour, there is no inspiration that must be found and harnessed. There is only do or do not.

For all of those people out there that are struggling with productivity and getting things done. You are not alone, there are many of us struggling. We are at different parts of our creative journey, and my struggling may be someone else’s success.

Success is relative.

Success is what you make of it.

Success is in your head.

Set a bar, make it slightly out of reach and go for it. Then when you get it, pat yourself on the back and go higher.

When you fail, don’t lower the bar, try again. And again.

For me, that means that I have to suck it up, finish this blog post, and get to work. No more excuses, no more whining.

If you like what you see and wish to support me in my endeavours, please sign up to my newsletter, visit my Amazon Author Page and purchase one of my books, buy me a coffee, or leave me a review. Your help and support are much appreciated.

End of March 2019 Report

As like the post for the end of January, this is the post of the end of March. I am still putting my money where my mouth is.

RECAP OF 2019 GOALS

1. Write 500,000 words in personal, non-school related projects.
2. Complete and publish Felix #2, Felix #3, Des O’Neal #1, Des O’Neal #2, Des O’Neal #3, Jovian Marines #1, Jovian Marines #2, Jovian Marines #3, Mech Warrior #1, Mech Warrior #2, Mech Warrior #3.
3. Correct cover for Felix #1.
4. Write four blog posts per month
5. Give Felix #1 and Tokyo Tempest #1 a proofread.
6. Complete and submit to market Terran Marine Raider short #1, Terran Marine Raider short #2, and RPG Death short.
   1. Added goal: complete and submit to market, JSS Leda, secret short #2 and secret short #3.
7. Earn $1000.00 a month from novels.
8. Relaunch publishing company with a new, stronger name.
9. Get 1 client for editing services.

MARCH ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1. I wrote 42,240 words.
2. I have reached my 90 day-in-a-row point, which is also at the approx one-quarter mark in the days of the year.
3. I have passed the one-quarter mark in total yearly words at 127k.
4. I hit the publish button on Des O’Neal #1, retitled as The O’Neal Saboteur. For those that haven’t, the book can be found here.
5. Wrote a short story with a working title called the JSS Leda.
6. Working with a local cover artist for a bunch of covers for books.
7. Edited Terran Marine Raider #1.
8. Still worked on editing Jovian Marines #1.
9. Wrote 5 blog posts during March (Extra week.)

EXAMINATION OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1. I wrote just over 42k words in March. While it is larger than my monthly total for February, there are more days in March and, as such, my daily count has taken a beating. I wrote 100 words a day on average in February than in March. Being on track for total words is good, especially with my semester ending and a bit of free time to write more words and gain a bit of a buffer for the next summer semester.
2. No books have been first drafted this month. However, I finally hit the button on The O’Neal Saboteur. It is out now.
3. I have a secret. It involves my short story JSS Leda (working title), and once I can announce more information, then I shall announce.
4. A local cover artist, not my wife is working on what I am calling “art assets.” These are so my wife can turn them into beautiful covers. They will be works of art on there own but will have no titling, which is why I need my wife.
5. The edits of Jovian Marines #1 are ongoing. The title of which will be The Missed Drop Zone. It will be in the Odinite Campaign Saga. It was put on hold while I worked on the super secret project. I expect to pick it up soon.
6. As you can see from my previous posts, I have written five blog posts with them going live on Sundays. This month I wrote about my mishmash ideas and concepts stemming from the stress of going to school full time and doing something crazy like writing 500k words and publishing the work.

PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

This by far was the hardest month for me. Despite publishing one work, it has been hard to keep going. The changing of projects make things hard as well. I suffer from a slowdown of words as I change and start up the next project.

I’m currently working on the second O’Neal book, it is going to have the title, The O’Neal Kidnapped. I am 30k into it, not including the words in my first go that I did last year. This is another of my incompletes. However, it has the issue of me having to weave new words with old instead of only taking words onto the end like the previous books.

I will get Missed Drop Zone finished edited this month. It has become a joke of being put off. It will happen and soon. I hope to have it published by the end of April. However, I am not setting a date on it until it is ready. It’s not ready.

As you may have noticed, I have added a subgoal of some short stories that I need to write. They are secret, and I will talk about them soon. I have also crossed off the RPG Death Short. It is being used in a school project, and as such, I can’t write that story. Maybe later I will post the story.

If you like what you are reading and wish to support me in my endeavours, please sign up to my newsletter, visit my Amazon Author Page and purchase one of my books. Or buy me a coffee. Your help and support are much appreciated.

End of February 2019 Report

As like the post for the end of January, this is the post of the end of February. I am still putting my money where my mouth is.

Recap of 2019 Goals

1. Write 500,000 words in personal, non-school related projects.
2. Complete and publish Felix #2, Felix #3, Des O’Neal #1, Des O’Neal #2, Des O’Neal #3, Jovian Marines #1, Jovian Marines #2, Jovian Marines #3, Mech Warrior #1, Mech Warrior #2, Mech Warrior #3.
3. Correct cover for Felix #1.
4. Write four blog posts per month
5. Give Felix #1 and Tokyo Tempest #1 a proofread.
6. Complete and submit to market Terran Marine Raider short #1, Terran Marine Raider short #2, and RPG Death short.
7. Earn $1000.00 a month from novels.
8. Relaunch publishing company with a new, stronger name.
9. Get 1 client for editing services.

February Accomplishments

1. I wrote 41,013 words.
2. I finished the first draft of Mech Warrior #1.
3. Re-finished editing Des O’Neal #1
4. Waiting on a cover for Des O’Neal #1
5. Worked on editing Jovian Marines #1
6. Wrote 4 blog posts during February

Examination of Accomplishments

1. I wrote just over 41k words in February. It is not large enough for the 42,000 words that I set for myself, but that is okay. The base goal for February is 38,360 words. My month was far from perfect. I had many days where I didn’t make the 1500 words. I missed the goal ten times this month. However, I did manage to write over 2k words for nine days with my highest word day at 2558. This is a better month than January in terms of words.
2. The novel with the working title of Mech Warrior #1 was started back in 2018. It is the second book of those that I had only partially completed. I had left the book 41k words, but now it has finished at 87k words. That makes three novels to be edited. I may have to figure out better editing habits as the pile is growing.
3. At the start of the January, I had finished the edits to the first Des O’Neal book called The O’Neal Saboteur. However, after reexamining the book and learning some better editing “hacks,” I discovered that I missed some big errors. They are fixed now. I expect to publish it in the next few days. Stay tuned for that announcement in the coming days.
4. I have been working with my wife, the artist, on a cover for the Des O’Neal book. It is coming along, and it will be a post once I can show something about it.
5. The edits of Jovian Marines #1 are ongoing. The title of which will be The Missed Drop Zone. It will be in the Odinite Campaign Saga.
6. As you can see from my previous posts, I have written four blog posts with them going live on Sundays. This month I wrote about story ideas and how to find them and nurture them.

Plan for the Future

Despite not hitting the publish button in the month of January or February, I consider the month of February to be successful. I start my day by editing for an hour before doing anything else. I will need to perhaps add more time to that. Maybe working on more time to write it. I need to get not only Missed Drop Zone published, but I need to get a large part of the way done editing Felix #2.  I still write my next day’s tasks at the end of each night.

I am currently working on a Military Sci-Fi for an anthology. It is still in the same story verse as Des O’Neal and the Odinite Campaign but is about someone on the side of Terra.

So far, it is working, but I have had to make some changes. I will go into details this Sunday when I drop my weekly post. Maybe I will also talk about some of the current projects that I am working on.

If you like what you are reading and wish to support me in my endeavours, please sign up to my newsletter, visit my Amazon Author Page and purchase one of my books. Or buy me a coffee. Your help and support are much appreciated.

The Daily Struggle

We are not alone.

In my previous couple of posts, I have talked about my the year that has just passed and how I utterly failed in that year. After I have surfed my way through the internet, I have noticed that many people have failed to achieve what they intended to get done in 2018. It is not only me. It is not only you. Many people have problems staying on task and feeling the sense of accomplishment. They see the successful people that have made it and wonder what miracle they have found.

Unfortunately, there is no miracle cure for getting any type of success. I wish there was. And honestly, I have yet to find the level of success that I strive to achieve. A more detailed account will be discussed in future blogs.

Goals, and Dreams

In short, goals and dreams are the way we measure whether we are successful or not. If we made our goal, we are a success, if not, a failure. But what about the in between? The space from the daily struggle to the day that you deem yourself a success. How do you tell if you are on the correct path? Many people, like myself, use days like New Years as a judgment day where the previous year is weighed and measured.

Honestly, that is the reason why I hate New Years and my birthday. They are two easily recognizable days that tend to jump out at me when I am least expecting it. They always mug me for loose pocket change and leave me watching a rerun of that failed year. It is worse as my birthday is in the middle of the year, giving me a mid-year check-up day. I usually freak out and realize that the stuff  I was supposed to do isn’t done and that I am a half-year behind.

The Path to Success or Daily Tasks

As I have stated in previous posts, there is a disconnect between setting a long-term goal and setting daily tasks to propel you towards that goal. Many people, including me, have an issue with keeping on task. It is easy to get sidetracked and allowing a week or even a month slip by without realizing it. This sidetrack is the reason why I have not reached the level of success that I want. Such as having seven unfinished and unpublished books, which is not a good thing.

The outcome of having been sidetracked is, for some; the weight has not come off, the finances are just as bad, and for me; the book isn’t written and is not published. Some people will say, “It’s okay. Shake it off and try again.” So I try again. New year, new me. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

However, how many times must I do that before I wake up to that scam? Before I realize that it isn’t about trying again the same way. Einstein defined insanity as trying the same thing over and over, yet expecting a different result at each attempt.

So this year, as stated in previous posts, I am trying something new. This daily accomplishment is my new thing. In 2018 I didn’t write daily tasks, I only doled out self-punishment for failing after I picked myself out of the ditch where I was mugged.

Giving out self-punishment is not a good thing and I see many people do it. Worse yet, it can come in a form that doesn’t look like punishment. It is not self-flagellation, but it is something more hidden. It is the act of giving up, of turning on Youtube or Netflix or cable or video games. It is wasting the days away and pretending not to care about the issue or about making your goal.

I will be truthful, in these last three weeks, I have had my good days and my bad days. I am not perfect. Some days I let things get too much and others, like today, I am getting things done; like writing a blog post on a Wednesday that will be posted on Sunday.

But I have a strategy for that.

(Please note that I read this or heard it somewhere, but can’t recall where.)

The ultimate goal is to do a few little things that get you closer to your ultimate goal. These little things make one day better than the last. It will make you stronger from one day or one week to the next. Or smarter. Or it will get that book done or more money in your pocket and that debt repaid. However, it is easier said than done.

My strategy is my daily accomplishments. The idea, in short, is to write out everything that you need to do that day. But not to write them in randomly. The goal is to write them in an order of importance, to write them the night before instead of when you wake up and to write out the list every day even if it is the same thing over and over.

As stated in previous posts, the starting point of my daily list is my word count for the day. For you, it may be to work out at the gym or go for that 5am run. Whatever it is, put it on top and do it first. That way if you lose steam or get distracted by a honey-do list, then at least you have done something. If you wait until the end of the day when you are tired to do the most important thing, then it is easier to say, “fuck-it-all,” and turn on your distraction-vice of choice.

The task of writing out a list at the end of the day is a nice ritual to end the day. If I am feeling good about what I have accomplished, then it is exciting to write things down. If I failed at the day, then it is an important recap of the day and a chance to think about how to make it better. For me, it works.

This brings me to the last point; the act of writing a new list every day. It gives me the ability to look back at the day and ask the important question. If I didn’t get my tasks done, why? What went wrong on that day? Is it cause I put too much on the list? What distraction hampered my day? When I do that, it gives me the ability to figure out ways to overcome that problem. Cause problems will happen. Days will flop.

But what about…

There are loads of people that have excuses why they can’t do a daily task list and the ability to accomplish daily goals. Some of them are justified, but some of them are not. I struggled with this for a long time. I was not a list person until I was.

In my attempt to prove that I wasn’t a list person, I wrote out all of my excuses on why I couldn’t write. These were the things that got in my way. The job, kids, wife, video games, youtube, anxiety. At the end of my list, I wrote anxiety down as I was grasping at straws hoping to have something that would prove that lists don’t work for me.

But it did. After I went over my list, I realized that all of my issues were not insurmountable. They were details that I could and am overcoming. The important aspect is to take a daily interest with your goal, turn it from an abstract concept and work steadily towards it. If you don’t then you will be thinking the same thing at the end of 2019 that you did at the end of 2018.

That is it for today. If you enjoyed the blog and wish to support me in my work, feel free to purchase one of my books or to simply buy me a coffee.

Until next time.

Stay shiny.

 

2018: Recap. Next up 2019.

It is 2019 and where has the time gone? Time is the most tremendous and greatest asset that each of us acquires in our lifetime. Every day we get deposited 1,400 minutes into our daily account, and we spend them throughout the day. By the end of the year each of us we will spend 525,600 minutes. That is a half million minutes per day, every day for a full year.

The question is, did I spend my allocated 2018 half million minutes wisely, effectively and did I make my 2018 goals.

The short answer is no.

The long answer is I handicapped myself. I allowed my anxiety, paranoia, and life got in the way of my goals.

I published four manuscripts in 2018, but my goal was for twelve manuscripts. I wrote between 200k to 350k words, but I didn’t keep track of my daily writing, and I am kicking myself in that regard. I have many books that are partially completed, but not published yet. It only matters when the button is pushed, and in order to push the button, I need to have the work in a publishable quality.

I have made mistakes along the way. I had published a book before it was ready, then removing it and scrapping it. I have published bad covers, lousy market copy, and other errors that I may not realize until it smacks me in the face.

Now, what is up for 2019? Am I going to limit my goals to something that I can get done?

This is me you are listening to. Remember one of my mantras?

If you don’t risk failure, then you don’t deserve success.

My goals for 2019.

1. Write 500,000 words in personal, non-school related projects.
2. Complete and publish Felix #2, Felix #3, Des O’Neal #1, Des O’Neal #2, Des O’Neal #3, Jovian Marines #1, Jovian Marines #2, Jovian Marines #3, Mech Warrior #1, Mech Warrior #2, Mech Warrior #3.
3. Correct cover for Felix #1.
4. Write four blog posts per month
5. Give Felix #1 and Tokyo Tempest #1 a proofread.
6. Complete and submit to market Terran Marine Raider short #1, Terran Marine Raider short #2, and RPG Death short.
7. Earn $1000.00 a month from novels.
8. Relaunch publishing company with a new, stronger name.
9. Get 1 client for editing services.

I have posted my goals on my cork board above my desk. They are staring me in the face every time I sit down at my desk, and I sit down at my desk a lot.

The break down of the goals.

Most of my goals will be completed by writing every day and completing and publishing the projects. The 500,000 words will finish the 11 books listed under number 2. Some of the books I have started, but not completed. I have started 7 of them. Again, in 2018, mistakes were made.

One of the mistakes was the cover for Felix the Swift: Phantom Sorcerer #1. The book is my strongest work published, and I feel that if I spend a bit of money I can get a stronger cover. The aim will be to rework the cover when I publish book 2.

I have dropped writing blog posts due to reasons, and it is a regret that I will correct.

I have noticed a few spelling errors in some of my books as well as a few misplaced commas. I will give the noted books a proofread and republish.

Some of the projects that I have been writing on is some short stories set in my science fiction world. I need to complete the stories and get them out on the market. There are a lot of indies publishing anthologies that I may be able to get them into.

Earning a monthly income from writing is a lofty goal, but if I can publish the books listed, there is a good chance that I can make that goal.

In regards to my publishing house name, I have never been happy with it. It is something that I need to think long and hard on, and a rebranding of it may be in the future. It may not be. We shall see what happens.

The last goal that I have deserves a blog post on its own, as well as a page with additional information. It is something that I strive towards, and I will go into it in the future.

Now the honest truth. Am I going to make my goals? They are very tall and very lofty. Plus I have a wife, two kids, and life to live. So am I going to make my goal?

At this moment, yes. I will make my goals. It is going to happen.

If you enjoy what I do and would like to help support me and my novels, feel free to buy me a coffee.

Update July 3, 2018

So I know that I haven’t been posting in a while. I am sorry for that. I published my first book, then my posting fell off. So far this year, I have written 200k words. I have two full novels published and two smaller kids books that I did with my kids.

Plus being a dad has taken up much of my time. My son is in piano, and my daughter is a ballerina.

I know. I am creating excuses for why I haven’t been posting. The suns in my eyes… the curling game is on…

No more lame excuses.

I will be moving to post once a week for now, and maybe posting more later.

In other news, my day job was going fine. Until they laid me off. It sucks, but I have written 25k words in the last 2 weeks, and I have published one book. I have another in the editing process and a short story in editing as well. I am not letting the depressiveness get to me. I am getting things done.

I also have an outstanding cover artist. His work is fantastic and has upped the game to my novels. His cover is the image for this post.

His site can be found here: Josh Thornbrugh

So now that you know that I am unemployed and working on my novels full-time cause that is the cards that have been dealt, what’s my future?

Well, the plan is to go back to school. Learn more about the writing and publishing process. It is a scary prospect, but I will make a go of it.

I will close off here, but if you all want to support my family and me, the easiest way will be to buy a book or three. Right not they are only available on Amazon and as e-books. They will be released sometime in the near future.

The full list of my published book can be found here.

My published work. 

Until next time.

Stay Shiny.